They were charged under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961, which carries a life sentence, and in the event they are not sentenced to death, they can be caned, if found guilty.

During proceedings, lawyer Shaharudin Ali, who represented Mazli, Zulkarnain and Agus, told magistrate Nurul Syahida Zainal that his clients had complained of sustaining injuries during detention.

The magistrate, upon questioning the four, ordered two of the accused persons, Mazli and Agus, to receive medical examination.

The magistrate set Aug 16 for mention.

Lawyer Ridha Abdah Subri who represented Asri, the first accused, confirmed after proceedings that his client had not complained about any injuries.

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Rohaida Che Hamid appeared for the prosecution.

As the four were led out of the court, two of them screamed "Allahuakhbar" several times while another accused was seen crying.

Their families were also very emotional. During proceedings, family members kept going up to the accused persons and talking to them, while some of the women were seen crying.

It is learnt that Asri works as a technician, Mazli is a tomoi coach, Zukarnain is a building maintenance worker while Agus is a trader.

It was reported that Ng, the victim, had said that he was abducted for money and that the words "Saya hina agama Islam" was a tactic by his assailants so that he would be beaten by the public if he tried to escape from them.

The photograph of Ng's chest was widely circulated on the internet.

Ng had said he was having drinks with his girlfriend, Rachel Leong, 16, and another friend at a shop when two men approached them.

He was dragged to a waiting car, and in the vehicle, Ng was allegedly beaten, blindfolded and taken to an apartment. - July 22, 2013